Film-splicing device



F. KALMBACH.

FILM SPLICING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED ocT. 4. 1919.

EASQAGG, I Patented 0015. 1?,

Patented Oct. l7, i922,

UNHTEQ stares FREDERICK KALM-BACH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

rrmvr-srmoine nnvrcn.

Application filed October 4, 1919.

To all'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Fnnnnnron KALMBACH, a citizen of the United States, residing at the borough of Bronx, in the'city of New York, county of Bronx, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FilmSplicing Devices, of Which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings,'which form a part thereof.

"and neatly united in a manner to ensure accuracy in the spacing and alinement of the sprocket openings along opposite edges of the film.

A device made in accordance with my invention is so constructed that the end of the film from which the emulsion must be scraped is accurately positioned in relation to .a hardened bearing surface, which will not be quickly worn, through abrasion by the keen edge of the hand-tool used in re moving the emulsion.

The means used for so positioning the film are so arranged as to serve as a guide for a straight-edge used to hold the film flat upon the hardened surface and define the area from which the emulsion is to be scraped. The same means also serve to accurately aline the ends of the two sections of film to be spliced or united, said means having associated therewith a presser mech anism which, in co-operation therewith, will force the two film sections together to en sure the proper'bonding action of-the cement and at the same time prevent warping or distortion of the two film sections while the binding medium is setting.

Another characteristic of a device made in accordance with my invention, is the association with the presser mechanism above referred to, of a clamp bar arranged at one side thereof for holding that film section from which the emulsion has been removed, firmly upon the top surface of the device, so as to facilitate the proper application of thee'dgeof the otherfilm section thereto.

I have found in actual practice that the cementused in binding the films will attack many metals and ultimately pit same in a manner to cause an uneven surface and a resultant formation of an improper splice Serial No. 328,413.

joint. To obviate this condition I make that portion of the table of the device co-operating with the presser mechanism of a metal immune to the action of the cement and. also make this portion removable from the base so that in the event of its becoming damaged or worn, it may be readily replaced.

The hardened portion of the table is also made removable so that in case of wear it may be removed and a new section substituted therefor.

The presser bar or platen is so constructed as to co-operate with the guide pins in forc ing and holding the two film sections in the desired rectilineal relation, this mechanism being capable of being quickly applied to the film for this purpose, and means being provided whereby the desired uniform pressure may be developed upon said bar or platen to ensure rapid action of the cement and the expression from between the lapped portions of the film of all cement in excess of that required to secure the desired bond, while avoiding any material increase in the thickness of the film at the splice.

A device made in accordance with my invention may be used in a laboratory in making up a reel of the negative film, or in the projector booth in repairing broken films.

The invention consists primarily in a film splicing device embodying therein a base having a top or'table divided into two end sections and a middle section, all arranged on the same-plane, one end section having a hardened area, a movable clamp bar adapted to act against the other end section, two sets of rectilineally arranged pins upon said middle section, and a presser mechanism associated with, and movable with relation to, said middle section, embodying therein a presser platen having recesses therein cooperating with said pins, whereby said guide pins maybe used to accurately position the end of one film section with relation to said hardened area, and to position a straightedge' with. relation to the end of said film, to facilitate the removal of the emulsion therefrom, and to position the ends of two film sections being spliced with relation to each other and to said presser mechanism, to facilitate the making of a lap joint between said ends; and in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and de- 'teferring to the drawings, I F 1 18 a perspective view of a film splicing device made in accordance with my invention, a straight-edge and a knife scraper being shown in position for removing theemulsion from the end of a film section, the clamp bar being shown in the raised position in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof showing two sections of film thereon with, the presser mechanism broken away; and

Fig. 3 is a rear view partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal section, on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. j

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

in the embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, I employ a metal base a having suitable perforated extensions a at the opposite sides thereof to facilitate the mounting of the deviceupon a bench. The top or table of this base is formed of two end sections ?)(Z and a middle section 0. The end section Z2 is formed integrally with the base a. The other end section d is in part formed therewith and in part formed by a hardened steelblock cl, detachably secured to the base a by means of the screw 0 The middlev section 0 is formed of a white metal. alloy having a base of zinc, tin

or aluminum, or composed of other matetial having no afiinity with, or immune to the action of, the cement used in joining sections of the film. j

The section 0 is detachable from the base a, being secured in place by means of the screw 0. f

Carried by, or formed integrally with, the middle section 0 are two pairs of pins ee and f-f adjacent opposite ends of said 5 ion. The pins of each pair are rectuineally arranged as to each other and as to the corresponding pins of the other pair, the pins of each pair being spaced apart a die ance equal to that between the sprocket openings along opposite edges of the film, and the pins of one pair are spaced away from those of the other pair a distance sufficient to permit their being engaged with next to the end sprocket opening in each film sec tion being s )llCGfl. so that when the two end sections are brought together, the films will. be held in alincment, and sufficient space will be afforded between the pins to prevent their being fouled by the cement used in forming the joint.

The ends of the pins are tapered slightly to facilitate the mounting of the film sec tions thereon, the base of the pin adjacent the surface of the section 0, however, being of substantially the same dimension as the sprocket opening in the film, so that there can be no such lateral or longitudinal deflection of the film, while forming the joint, as would lead tothe buckling or distortion of 1 ,aseeoe the film or a loss sections.

Pivoted at one end of the section b is a clamp bar 9 having an angular projection 97 thereon" engaged by a spring pressed plunper mounted in the base a, so that when this clamp bar is raised from said section, it will be held raised by said spring pressed plunger and when it is moved toward said section, it will be forced into and maintained in the set position, firmly holding the film upon said section. v

Pivotally mounted in suitable lugs (6? upon the base a, so as to be adapted to be projected across the section a, is a bar it having pivoted thereon a presser bar or platen 5 having on the under face thereof recesses z" adapted to receive the guide pins upon the section a, the dimensions of these openings being suchas to compensate for the arc'described by said presser bar or platen in its movement toward or from said section 0..

The base a upon the opposite end ofthe section 0 has pivotally mountedjthereon a recessed arm 7' having mounted therein a spring pressed plunger 72 adapted, when said arm 7' is raised, to pass over, engage and press the bar it and the presser bar or platen of alinement of the spliced i carried thereby, toward the section a. The 1 end of the bar k adjacent said arm j is rounded as shown to facilitate the free action of said arm. I r

The pins /"f' in addition to serving as guides for the film when removing the emulsion from one end thereof, and when forming the splice joint, also serve as guides for the rear edge of a straight-edge m of hardened steel, which is used for holding the end of 'a film section upon the hardened area afforded by the block cl, and exposing only that area of the film section from which the emulsion is to be removed.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the knife or other scraper for removing emulsion is shown at .n. A The two film sections being spliced are indicated at 0 and p respective y,

The operation of the herein described device is substantially as follows One section of, the film, such as 0, which is to bespliced to the other section 29, is cut at right angles to the edge of the filmclose to the sprocket openings of the portion of ing a continuous surface to the film from edge to edge thereof, the width of which is substantiallyequal to the distance between adjacent sprocket openings at each edge of the film. "The end of this section of film is then brought, emulsion side upward, upon the top surface of thedevice, with the cut end thereof upon the block cl, the pins ee and f-f being passed through sprocket the film which is not to be used, thus leav openings in this film section.- The clamp bar :tion 6 to holdthe film in place upon the device. The straight=edge m is then placed with its rear edge against the pins f-f' and onexend against one of the lugs a leaving exposed a'narrow strip of the film of approximately "one eighth of an inch in width. The knife'n is then used to scrape the emul sion from this exposed area of the film section, the straight-edge m defining the area from which the emulsion'can be scrape-d and limiting it to the distance between sprocket openings, or within the portion of the film betweensucceeding pictures.

When emulsion has thus been removed from the end of the film section 0, the clamp bar gis raised andthissection of the film is repositioned by passing next to the end sprocket openings therein over the pins ee. The cement is then applied to the cleanedarea by means ofab'rush. The end of the film section 9 having been cut in the same manner as the end of the section 0, is then lapped over the film section 0 to the extent of the area from which emulsion is removed, the next to. the'end sprocket openings of the section 79 being passed over the pins ff.

The-bar h is then moved=toward the section 0, the presser bar or platen i engaging the entire area of the two film sections adjacent and between the various guide pins, forcing them into intimate contact with the section a. The" enlargement of the guide pins toward the surface of the section 0 corrects any loss of alinement of the two sections. The arm 7' is then swung over the bar h momentarily, the spring pressed plunger Z: developing sufiicient pressure to secure the desired intimate relation of the two film sections and exp'ressing'surplus cement from between the lapped ends thereof. The arm 7' is then moved out of engagement with the bar it and the bar raised. The film is then removed from the device and both surfaces thereof wiped off with-asoft cloth tojremove the expressed cement. The surfaces'o'f the top'section c and platen 2' should then be cleaned.

The various top sections 1), c and d oi the base, and the surface of the platen i. should havea smooth finish to secure uniformity in thickness throughout the splice,

By making the section 0 in its entirety removable from the machine, this section may be readily replaced in the event of deterioration or wear resulting inthe loss of the desired flat, smooth surface, which con dition is also true 'as'to the hardened block. d of the section cl.

By making the section ciof ajmet al or ametallic alloy having no aflinity for, or immune to the action of, the cement, the life of this section may be much prolonged.

With a device made in accordance with my invention, a perfect splice may be made within a few seconds. While there will be a slight added thickness to the film at the point of the splice, the thickened area will be positioned between sprocket openings, sothat it will not interfere in any way with the free running of the film in a projector or in a printing machine.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction. shown in the accompanying drawings, it being apparent that such may be varied, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is

l. A. film splicing device embodying therein a base having a top or table divided into two end sections and a middle section, all arranged in the same plane, one end section having a hardened area, a movable clamp bar adapted to act against the other end section, two pairs of pins upon said middle section, the pins of each pair being spaced apart. a distance equal to that between the sprocket openings along opposite edges of the film, and being reotilineally arranged as to each other and as to the corresponding pins of the other pair, and the pins of one pair being spaced away from those of the other pair sufiiciently to permit the formation of a splice therebetween, and a presser mechanism associated with, and movable with relation to, said middle section, embodying therein a presser platen having recesses'therein adapted to receive said pins, the pins of each pair being adjacent said end sections respectively whereby said guide pins may be used to accurately position the end of one film section with relation to said hardened area, and to position a straight edge with relation to the end of said film, to facilitate the removal of the emulsion therefrom, and to position the ends of two filmsections being spliced with relation to each other and to said presser mechanism, to facilitate the making of a lap joint between said ends.

2. A film splicing device embodying therein a base having a top or table divided into two end sections and a middle section, all arranged in the same plane, one end section having a hardened area, a movable clamp bar adapted to act against the other end section, two sets of rectilineally arranged pins upon said middle section, said middle section being detachably connected with said base, whereby it may be renewedv when necessary, and a presser mechanism associated with, and movable with relation to, said middle section, embodying therein a presser platen having recesses therein cooperating with said pins, whereby said guide pins may be used to accurately position the end of one film section with relation to said hardened v to said presser mechanism, to facilitate the making of a lap joint between said ends.

3. A film splicing device embodying therein a base having a top or table divided into two end sections and a middle section, all ar ranged in the same plane, one end section having a hardened area, a movable clamp bar adapted to act against the'other end sec tion, two sets of rectilineally arranged pins upon said middle section, said middle section being made of material having no afiin ity for, or immune to the action of, the cement used in making a splice, and being detachably connected with said base, whereby it may be renewed when necessary, and a presser mechanism associated with, and movable with relation to, said middle section, embodying therein a presser platen having recesses therein cooperating with said pins, whereby said guide pins maybe used to ac curately position the end of one film section with relation to said hardened area, and to position a straight-edge with relation to the end of said film, to facilitate the. removal of the emulsion therefrom, and to position the ends of two film sections being spliced with relation to each other and to said presser mechanism, to facilitate the making of a lapjoint between said ends.

4. A film splicing device embodying therein a base having a top or table divided into two end sections and a middle section, all arranged in the same plane, a hardened metal block detachably mounted on said base and forming a part of one end section, a movable clamp bar adapted to act against the other end section, two sets of rectilineally arranged pins upon said middle section, and a presser mechanism associated with, and movable with relation to, said middle. section, embodying therein a presser platen having recesses therein co-operating with said pins, whereby said guide pins may be used to accurately position the end of one film section with relation to said hardened area, and to position a straight-edge with relation to the end of said film, to facilitate the removal of the emulsion therefrom, and to position the ends of two film sections being spliced with relation to each other and to said presser mechanisrmto facilitate the making of a lap joint between said ends.

5. A film splicing device embodying therein a base having a top or table divided into two end sections and a middle section, all arranged in the same plane, one end section havinga hardened'area, a. movable clamp bar adapted to act against the other end section, two sets of rectilineally arranged pins upon said middle section, a bar pivotally mounted upon said base and adapted to project'across said middle section, a'presser platen pivotally mounted thereon, said platen having-recesses therein adapted'to receive said guide pins, an arm pivotally mounted upon said base, and a spring pressed plunger carried bysaidarmi and adapted to engage said bar, whereby said guide pins may be-used to accuratelyposition the end of one film section with relation to said hardened area and to osition v a straight-edge with relationto'the end of said film, to facilitate the removal of the emulsion therefrom, and to position the ends of two film sections being spliced'with relation to each other and to said presser mechaa nism, to facilitate-the making of a lap joint between said ends. i

6. A film splicing device embodyingftherein a base having a top: or table divided into two end sections and a middle section, all

arranged in the same plane, one end section having a hardened area, a movablefcl'amp bar adapted .to act against the other end section, two sets of rectilineally' arranged pins upon said middle section, said middle mounted upon said base, and a spring pressed plunger carried by said arm and adapted to engage said bar, whereby: said guide pins may be used to accurately position the end of one film= section with relation to said hardened area, and to position a straight edge withrel'ation to the end of said film, to

facilitate the removal of the emulsion-therefrom, and to position the ends of'two film sections being spliced with relation to each other and to said presser mechanism, to facilitate the making- 0f a lap joint between said ends. I I

In witness whereof I have hereuntoafiixed my signature, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses, this29th dayof SeptembGI',1919. i I FREDERICK KALMBACHI Witnesses: y c v F. T. WnN'rWoR'rH, A, BENTON.

100 V to receive said guide pins, an arm pivotally 

